Craigavon among the World’s First Hospitals to implant new cardiac monitoring device

Craigavon among the World’s First Hospitals to implant new cardiac monitoring device

10/01/2013

Craigavon Area Hospital recently became the first hospital in Northern Ireland to implant a patient with a breakthrough new cardiac monitoring device, called a BioMonitor®.

Dr David McEneaney, Consultant Cardiologist at Craigavon Area Hospital became one of the world’s first physicians to implant the BioMonitor® device when he carried out this procedure on 10 January 2013 at Craigavon Area Hospital.

Dr McEneaney explained what the new device does: “BioMonitor is a small cardiac monitor which continuously monitors a patient’s heart rate and rhythm and can detect if the heart is maybe beating too fast, too slow or irregularly. The device sends daily updates remotely to the doctor without the patient having to do anything. Doctors can monitor the patient’s heart over long periods as they go about their daily lives and then use this data to treat them more effectively.”

Dr McEneaney added: “BioMonitor is a diagnostic breakthrough. We often have patients who, for unknown reasons, repeatedly faint or complain of dizziness. We need a snapshot of what happened in order to properly assess the situation, and this is only possible with continuous monitoring of the heart that reveals unpredictable arrhythmias and transmits data about them immediately.

BioMonitor is a significant improvement on the previous external devices which could only detect a small percentage of these potentially serious conditions. BioMonitor gives doctors very precise and reliable information and supports us in every step from diagnosis via monitoring through to individualised therapy, offering high quality solutions that benefit both doctors and patients.”

Mr Terence Herron is doing well after receiving the new implant and said: “I feel reassured that the doctors will be able to keep a close eye on how I am doing and I can get on with my life knowing that my heart is being monitored round the clock by the doctors for any sign of problems.”

Dr Gillian Rankin, Southern Trust Director of Acute Services, welcomed this latest development and said: “The Trust’s Cardiology team provides innovative care and treatment for patients and this implant is another example of their continued commitment to providing the latest and best care and treatment to our patients.”

Photo
Dr David McEneaney, Consultant Cardiologist, Natalie Topping, Cardiac Physiologist and Davena Hull, Ward Sister with Terence Herron, after he received the new cardiac implant in Craigavon Area Hospital